Ahilyanagar district bank to pick chairman on Thursday, all eyes on CM Fadnavis's call

Who will head the Ahilyanagar District Central Co-operative Bank will become clear on Thursday. A special meeting has been called on Thursday (the 12th) to elect the chairman. The bank had earlier figured in discussion over the issue of an uncontested election. Political circles are now keenly curious about the post, and the whole district is watching to see who takes control of the bank.

However many names are being discussed, the person Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis decides on is considered almost certain to become chairman. Behind the scenes, there is rapid movement among senior leaders of the ruling camp, and several heavyweights want the post. Senior party leaders are believed to be taking the final decision keeping in view future political equations and the strength of the co-operative sector.

The bank's board of directors includes powerful political families of the district and big names of the co-operative sector. For this reason, political manoeuvring is under way to settle the question of the chairmanship. Breakfast meetings held around Diwali have also picked up pace.

In the district bank election, Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, former minister Balasaheb Thorat and former minister Shankarrao Gadakh came together to form the Sahakar Vikas Panel. Eighteen of the panel's 21 candidates were elected as directors. Of the remaining three, two are followers of Legislative Council Chairman Prof. Ram Shinde and one is MP Nilesh Lanke himself.

The directors loyal to Chairman Shinde are almost certain to back the Sahakar Vikas Panel. Three or four names are being discussed for the chairmanship, but Dr. Vikhe's name is still the frontrunner. Whoever becomes chairman and vice-chairman, their names will be finalised only by mutual consent. Indications are that developments in Mumbai before the meeting will settle the candidate for the chairmanship.

The Sahakar Vikas Panel includes supporters of Minister Vikhe and former minister Thorat. It is said that Thorat's supporters are more numerous in it, but many of them belong to the BJP. It will therefore be easy to act on the Chief Minister's directive.

The name of former MP Dr. Sujay Vikhe-Patil has been discussed for the chairmanship from the start. The names of former minister Shankarrao Gadakh and MLA Monica Rajale have now also come up. Everyone is watching whether a surprise decision comes at the last moment, based on local equations, or whether a senior leader is handed the bank's reins.

The post of district bank chairman is considered very important for the coming elections and for maintaining dominance in the co-operative sector. It is therefore being said that the Chief Minister will make the final announcement keeping in view not only the bank's functioning but also the coming political arithmetic.